Talbot Humane is proud to work with our humane community to care for community cats through our Trap, Neuter, Return (TNR) program. Community cats, also called feral cats, are unowned cats who live outdoors and are not socialized to people. Community cats live with their feline families called colonies. They are not lonely, scared, or unhappy outdoors.

TNR programs help improve the wellbeing of community cats. Since the 1940s, animal shelters have told people to bring stray cats to the shelter. Now we know we’ve been doing it wrong. TNR works and its the best way to care for community cats. It is estimated that up to one million cats are euthanized each year in the United States. TNR helps keep cats out of the shelter and lower this number.

T – Trap

We ask that before you begin trapping, you contact Talbot Humane to discuss a plan for trapping your community cats. Having a plan is the best way to ensure cats don’t have a long stay in the shelter while awaiting spay and neuter services. We are happy to provide education and advice on proper trapping. At this time, we are only available to assist in Talbot and Dorchester counties.

N- Neuter

We provide spay and neuter services for your community cat at no charge to you. When a community cat goes for their vet visit they will be neutered, get a health exam, receive vaccines for distemper and rabies, and get medical treatment for any other health concerns. They will also get an ear-tip. This is a small cut across the top of the ear that removes just the tip. This is a universal symbol for a community cat that has already been spayed or neutered and helps prevent them from returns to the shelter if someone else traps them.

R- Return

This is the most important step of the process. After your community cat’s surgery, they’ll spend another night or two at the shelter healing. Then it is time for them to go home. Returning community cats to their homes is the most humane thing we can do for them.

For more information on our TNR program, please contact Nancy or Laura at 410-822-0107 or adoptions@talbothumane.org